Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is CBD Oil?Types of ArthritisCBD for Psoriasis SymptomsWhat Triggers Flares?Best CBD for Managing Psoriasis PainHow to Buy CBDFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is CBD Oil?
Types of Arthritis
CBD for Psoriasis Symptoms
What Triggers Flares?
Best CBD for Managing Psoriasis Pain
How to Buy CBD
Frequently Asked Questions
CBD (cannabidiol) has exploded in popularity in recent years, in large part because it has shown promise in reducing pain, alleviating anxiety, and reducing symptoms of certain health conditions.
One such condition that may benefit fromCBD oilis psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a chronic (long-term) disease affecting the joints. While there isno cure for the condition, some people are turning to CBD to manage the symptoms of the disease.
What Does PsA Look Like?
Here are a few things to know if you want to try using CBD to treat the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.
Cannabis plants contain chemicals called cannabinoids. The two major cannabinoids are:
Both CBD and THC act on a communication system in the body known as theendocannabinoid system (ECS). The ECS is a complex biological system that affects appetite, fertility, sleep, mood, and memory. The ECS is active in the body even if you do not use cannabis.
CBD isolate is the purest form on the market. It contains 99% CBD, with no other additives or chemicals from the cannabis plant from which it is derived.
CBD binds to and activates receptors in the brain that create a therapeutic effect in the body, which allows users to get relief from symptoms without feeling impaired.
CBD Oil: The Science Behind This Cannabis Plant Extract
Arthritisis a term to describe conditions that affect the joints and surrounding tissues. Though there are over 100 types of arthritis, they all cause inflammation and swelling in one or more joints.
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an autoimmune disease that causes an overactive immune system to attack normal cells and tissues in the joints. PsA affects some people who have psoriasis—a skin condition that causes the formation of itchy red patches topped with silvery scales.
PsA typically is diagnosed after psoriasis. PsA can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints and surrounding tissues. An estimated 2.25 million Americans have psoriatic arthritis.
PsA most commonly affects joints in the arms and legs, including the elbows, wrists, hands, and feet. It can also impact the spine, hips, and shoulders, though this is less common.
The Different Types of PsA
The five types of psoriatic arthritis are:
CBD and PsA SymptomsStress can cause psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis to flare up. People with PsA may find CBD helps reduce anxiety and prevent flares in addition to decreasing pain and inflammation in the joints.
CBD and PsA Symptoms
Stress can cause psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis to flare up. People with PsA may find CBD helps reduce anxiety and prevent flares in addition to decreasing pain and inflammation in the joints.
Approximately one in four people withpsoriasiswill develop psoriatic arthritis.Some will develop symptoms of PsA slowly over time, and others will experience the onset of severe symptoms quickly.
Complications of PsA
Some common symptoms of PsA include:
CBD is being studied as a treatment for many conditions, including psoriatic arthritis, but research supporting its effectiveness is still limited. There is research demonstrating that CBD can effectively manage and reduce pain, however, so it might help some people with PsA.
Mental Health
A review of 49 studies found that CBD may help with generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder.A 2019 study found that 80% of participants had reduced anxiety after a month of taking CBD.
Some common psoriasis triggers include:
Some people are genetically predisposed to developing psoriatic arthritis, and approximately one in three people with psoriasis will develop PsA.
Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis
Are There Any Side Effects?
CBD is generally well-tolerated but can cause some side effects, particularly when taken in large amounts.
Possible side effects of CBD include:
There is limited research into CBD’s effectiveness at treating psoriasis, but its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties are well documented. Anecdotally, some people have found that CBD helps them manage their psoriasis symptoms.
Types of CDB
There are three basic types of CBD:
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
There is not enough research to determine which form of CBD is best for treating psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. You might want to try different forms and types to determine which works best for you.
Products and Delivery Methods
There are many different ways to use CBD, which means that you can tailor it to your preferences and needs. Examples of CBD products that are available include:
What Is Full-Spectrum CBD?
How Much to Use
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved CBD for treating epilepsy.As a result, there is no standard dosage of CBD for treating psoriasis.
Although CBD is generally safe, the industry is poorly regulated. When you are looking for a product that meets your needs, there are a few key factors to consider.
CBD from reputable companies should have information about the product on the label, including:
In addition to checking the labels, make sure that you:
Before you try a CBD product, ask your doctor if it could interact with any over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications or supplements that you take.
10 Natural Remedies to Help Arthritis in Hands
How long does it take to feel the effects of CBD for PsA?
The type of CBD that you use will determine how long it will take to feel the effects. It generally takes 15 minutes to feel the effects after vaping or using sublingual tinctures (those placed under the tongue). Ingesting CBD oil or gummies will take longer (up to two hours). Topicals may take up to an hour for effects to be felt, and they peak around 90 minutes after application.
How much CBD oil should I use for psoriatic arthritis pain?
The FDA has not released an official dosage guide for specific conditions, but many people with psoriatic arthritis report taking around 20–40 milligrams per day. Some people take higher doses during a flare-up.
Is full-spectrum CBD better for psoriasis than isolates?
Research suggests that full-spectrum CBD has more obvious health benefits than isolates. Isolates are generally better for people who have negative reactions to other cannabinoids found in full-spectrum CBD.
A Word From Verywell
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are painful, chronic conditions that can cause stress and anxiety. CBD is an alternative treatment that may help reduce pain and inflammation and relieve anxiety related to PsA.
Talk to your doctor before trying CBD. A physician might be able to recommend specific products and dosages that can help manage your psoriatic arthritis symptoms.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zou S, Kumar U.Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System.Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(3):833. doi:10.3390/ijms19030833Arthritis National Research Foundation.Types of Arthritis.National Psoriasis Foundation.What is Psoriatic Arthritis?.National Psoriasis Foundation.Classification of Psoriasis.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Psoriatic Arthritis.Alinaghi F, Calov M, Kristensen LE, et al.Prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational and clinical studies.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80(1):251-265.e19. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.06.027National Psoriasis Foundation.About Psoriatic Arthritis.Gusho CA, Court T.Cannabidiol: A Brief Review of Its Therapeutic and Pharmacologic Efficacy in the Management of Joint Disease.Cureus. 2020;12(3):e7375. doi:10.7759/cureus.7375Atalay S, Jarocka-Karpowicz I, Skrzydlewska E.Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol.Antioxidants (Basel). 2019;9(1):21. doi:10.3390/antiox9010021Blessing EM, Steenkamp MM, Manzanares J, et al.Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders.Neurotherapeutics. 2015;12(4):825-836. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, et al.Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series.Perm J. 2019;23:18-041. doi:10.7812/TPP/18-041National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis: Causes & Triggers.National Psoriasis Foundation.Information for Parents.Mayo Clinic.What Are The Benefits of CBD — And Is It Safe To Use?.Atalay S, Jarocka-Karpowicz I, Skrzydlewska E.Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol.Antioxidants (Basel). 2019;9(1):21. doi:10.3390/antiox9010021van de Donk T, Niesters M, Kowal MA, et al.An experimental randomized study on the analgesic effects of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis in chronic pain patients with fibromyalgia.Pain. 2019;160(4):860-869. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001464Food and Drug Administration.FDA Approves First Drug Comprised of an Active Ingredient Derived from Marijuana to Treat Rare, Severe Forms of Epilepsy.Russo EB.The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No “Strain,” No Gain.Front Plant Sci. 2019;9:1969. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01969
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zou S, Kumar U.Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System.Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(3):833. doi:10.3390/ijms19030833Arthritis National Research Foundation.Types of Arthritis.National Psoriasis Foundation.What is Psoriatic Arthritis?.National Psoriasis Foundation.Classification of Psoriasis.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Psoriatic Arthritis.Alinaghi F, Calov M, Kristensen LE, et al.Prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational and clinical studies.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80(1):251-265.e19. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.06.027National Psoriasis Foundation.About Psoriatic Arthritis.Gusho CA, Court T.Cannabidiol: A Brief Review of Its Therapeutic and Pharmacologic Efficacy in the Management of Joint Disease.Cureus. 2020;12(3):e7375. doi:10.7759/cureus.7375Atalay S, Jarocka-Karpowicz I, Skrzydlewska E.Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol.Antioxidants (Basel). 2019;9(1):21. doi:10.3390/antiox9010021Blessing EM, Steenkamp MM, Manzanares J, et al.Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders.Neurotherapeutics. 2015;12(4):825-836. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, et al.Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series.Perm J. 2019;23:18-041. doi:10.7812/TPP/18-041National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis: Causes & Triggers.National Psoriasis Foundation.Information for Parents.Mayo Clinic.What Are The Benefits of CBD — And Is It Safe To Use?.Atalay S, Jarocka-Karpowicz I, Skrzydlewska E.Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol.Antioxidants (Basel). 2019;9(1):21. doi:10.3390/antiox9010021van de Donk T, Niesters M, Kowal MA, et al.An experimental randomized study on the analgesic effects of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis in chronic pain patients with fibromyalgia.Pain. 2019;160(4):860-869. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001464Food and Drug Administration.FDA Approves First Drug Comprised of an Active Ingredient Derived from Marijuana to Treat Rare, Severe Forms of Epilepsy.Russo EB.The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No “Strain,” No Gain.Front Plant Sci. 2019;9:1969. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01969
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Zou S, Kumar U.Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System.Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(3):833. doi:10.3390/ijms19030833Arthritis National Research Foundation.Types of Arthritis.National Psoriasis Foundation.What is Psoriatic Arthritis?.National Psoriasis Foundation.Classification of Psoriasis.U.S. National Library of Medicine.Psoriatic Arthritis.Alinaghi F, Calov M, Kristensen LE, et al.Prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational and clinical studies.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80(1):251-265.e19. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.06.027National Psoriasis Foundation.About Psoriatic Arthritis.Gusho CA, Court T.Cannabidiol: A Brief Review of Its Therapeutic and Pharmacologic Efficacy in the Management of Joint Disease.Cureus. 2020;12(3):e7375. doi:10.7759/cureus.7375Atalay S, Jarocka-Karpowicz I, Skrzydlewska E.Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol.Antioxidants (Basel). 2019;9(1):21. doi:10.3390/antiox9010021Blessing EM, Steenkamp MM, Manzanares J, et al.Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders.Neurotherapeutics. 2015;12(4):825-836. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, et al.Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series.Perm J. 2019;23:18-041. doi:10.7812/TPP/18-041National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis: Causes & Triggers.National Psoriasis Foundation.Information for Parents.Mayo Clinic.What Are The Benefits of CBD — And Is It Safe To Use?.Atalay S, Jarocka-Karpowicz I, Skrzydlewska E.Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol.Antioxidants (Basel). 2019;9(1):21. doi:10.3390/antiox9010021van de Donk T, Niesters M, Kowal MA, et al.An experimental randomized study on the analgesic effects of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis in chronic pain patients with fibromyalgia.Pain. 2019;160(4):860-869. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001464Food and Drug Administration.FDA Approves First Drug Comprised of an Active Ingredient Derived from Marijuana to Treat Rare, Severe Forms of Epilepsy.Russo EB.The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No “Strain,” No Gain.Front Plant Sci. 2019;9:1969. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01969
Zou S, Kumar U.Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System.Int J Mol Sci. 2018;19(3):833. doi:10.3390/ijms19030833
Arthritis National Research Foundation.Types of Arthritis.
National Psoriasis Foundation.What is Psoriatic Arthritis?.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Classification of Psoriasis.
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Psoriatic Arthritis.
Alinaghi F, Calov M, Kristensen LE, et al.Prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational and clinical studies.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80(1):251-265.e19. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.06.027
National Psoriasis Foundation.About Psoriatic Arthritis.
Gusho CA, Court T.Cannabidiol: A Brief Review of Its Therapeutic and Pharmacologic Efficacy in the Management of Joint Disease.Cureus. 2020;12(3):e7375. doi:10.7759/cureus.7375
Atalay S, Jarocka-Karpowicz I, Skrzydlewska E.Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Cannabidiol.Antioxidants (Basel). 2019;9(1):21. doi:10.3390/antiox9010021
Blessing EM, Steenkamp MM, Manzanares J, et al.Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders.Neurotherapeutics. 2015;12(4):825-836. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1
Shannon S, Lewis N, Lee H, et al.Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series.Perm J. 2019;23:18-041. doi:10.7812/TPP/18-041
National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis: Causes & Triggers.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Information for Parents.
Mayo Clinic.What Are The Benefits of CBD — And Is It Safe To Use?.
van de Donk T, Niesters M, Kowal MA, et al.An experimental randomized study on the analgesic effects of pharmaceutical-grade cannabis in chronic pain patients with fibromyalgia.Pain. 2019;160(4):860-869. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001464
Food and Drug Administration.FDA Approves First Drug Comprised of an Active Ingredient Derived from Marijuana to Treat Rare, Severe Forms of Epilepsy.
Russo EB.The Case for the Entourage Effect and Conventional Breeding of Clinical Cannabis: No “Strain,” No Gain.Front Plant Sci. 2019;9:1969. doi:10.3389/fpls.2018.01969
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